Gerben Thijssen to make his debut in Paris-Roubaix - "I also like it and am really looking forward to it"

Gerben Thijssen's exceptional performance at Scheldeprijs secured him a top-five finish and, consequently, a coveted place on his team's roster for Paris-Roubaix.

Speaking to Sporza, he conveyed his enthusiasm for the race, "I can finally say it, I also like it and am really looking forward to it." The Intermarché-Circus-Wanty team is currently facing a dearth of reliable riders, as Biniam Girmay, Taco van der Hoorn, Aimé De Gendt, and other team members are out of action due to injuries.

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Thijssen looks back to his performance. “I came a long way, and I think there was something more in it. Today I show that I have a very fast sprint, and I could certainly have sprinted on the podium if I got a good push. Fifth is not bad, but there was more to it.  It was really very difficult. The corner at 3.5 kilometers from the finish was crucial, but after that it was washing machine. In retrospect, I should have tried it better with Jasper Philipsen in the wheel,” concluded the Belgian rider.